The African National Congress (ANC) has ceded 12 portfolios to other parties in the new coalition government of President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa.
President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed 32 ministers late Sunday night, allocating 20 portfolios to members of the African National Congress (ANC) and 12 to other coalition parties in the government.
This marks the first time since the end of apartheid in 1994 that the ANC has shared cabinet positions with other parties.
This new arrangement was prompted by the ANC losing its parliamentary majority in the May 29 general election, necessitating reliance on other parties, particularly the Democratic Alliance (DA), to secure President Ramaphosa’s re-election.
The power-sharing formula, finalized after intense weekend negotiations, allows the ANC to retain control of key portfolios such as foreign affairs, finance, defense, justice, and police.
Announcing the new cabinet in a televised speech from Pretoria, President Ramaphosa said, “The incoming government will prioritize rapid, inclusive and sustainable economic growth and a creation of a more just society by tackling poverty and inequality as well as unemployment.”
The biggest coalition partner, the DA, had six portfolios, including home affairs, environment and public works; with the DA leader himself, John Steenhuisen, appointed Minister of Agriculture.
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